How Do You Find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in NYC?

• New York gives most personal injury victims three years to file a lawsuit, but a claim against a City agency requires a Notice of Claim within just 90 days. Miss that window, and the wrong attorney can cost you your case before it starts.
• The right lawyer for a construction accident isn’t necessarily the right fit for a slip and fall, a medical malpractice claim, or a wrongful death case. Five qualities separate the best personal injury lawyers from the rest.
• The Law Offices of Richard M. Kenny offers free, no-obligation consultations, so you can evaluate an attorney’s experience before you commit to your case.

Sustaining a serious injury in an accident can be life-altering. Unfortunately, people are harmed due to the negligence of others every single day here in New York City, and if you’re one of them, you’re likely now seeking financial compensation. That said, NYC is a big place, and it can be challenging to find the best personal injury lawyer for your case. Please continue reading to learn more about what you should look for in a NYC personal injury lawyer and how to find the best attorney to handle your case.

Finding the Best Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Case

There is not necessarily one personal injury lawyer who is the right fit for every accident victim or every type of claim. Instead, the best attorney for your case will depend on how you were injured, the seriousness of your injuries, the parties involved, and various other factors. Five of the most important qualities you should look for are below.

1. Experience Handling Cases Like Yours

Personal injury law is a relatively broad field, and different types of accidents can involve entirely different evidence, insurance policies, legal arguments, and responsible parties. Therefore, an attorney who routinely handles minor car accident claims may not necessarily be prepared to manage a complicated construction accident, medical malpractice, or wrongful death case. You should look for a lawyer who has experience handling claims involving the following:

• Car, truck, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents
• Construction and workplace injuries
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Dangerous property conditions
• Catastrophic injuries and wrongful death

If you’re still not sure your situation rises to the level of a claim worth pursuing, it’s worth sorting that out before you start comparing firms.

2. A Strong Record of Results

Of course, past case results can’t guarantee the outcome of a given personal injury claim; however, they do provide insight into what the firm in question is capable of. Knowing your attorney has successfully handled several cases (potentially even cases just like yours) in the past is important.

You should also take a look at their reviews. The Law Offices of Richard M. Kenny has more than 450 Google reviews across its two office locations, with a 4.9-star average. Before you hire anyone, you can also confirm an attorney’s license status and standing directly through the New York State court system.

3. Knowledge of New York City Injury Cases

Personal injury claims in New York City may involve municipal agencies, commercial property owners, contractors, public transportation authorities, rideshare companies, and several different insurance carriers. Because of this, having a lawyer with local experience can prove particularly important, especially if your accident happened on government-owned property or at a construction site. A knowledgeable NYC personal injury lawyer should understand:

• New York negligence laws
• Applicable filing deadlines
• Local courts and procedures
• Municipal notice requirements
• Common insurance company tactics

You should note that if an important filing or notice deadline is missed, you may lose your right to recover compensation altogether. For example, before you can bring a claim against a New York City agency, a Notice of Claim generally must be served within 90 days under General Municipal Law § 50-e. It’s one of the strictest deadlines in personal injury law, and one that is easy to miss.

4. Consistent Communication

Your attorney should be capable of explaining the legal process in a way that makes sense without making every answer sound more complicated than it needs to be. During your initial consultation, consider whether the lawyer listens carefully, responds directly to your questions, and seems to take your concerns seriously.

5. The Resources to Build Your Claim

Your attorney must be prepared to do the heavy lifting in your case, and have the resources available to collect surveillance footage, interview witnesses, obtain medical records, consult with experts, and potentially even reconstruct exactly how your injury occurred.

Before choosing an attorney, you should ask whether the firm has the financial and professional resources necessary to prepare your case. You should also make sure you understand how attorney fees and other case-related expenses will be paid.

If you have additional questions or would like to speak with a New York City personal injury lawyer from our firm about your case, please don’t hesitate to contact The Law Offices of Richard M. Kenny for a free case evaluation today.

CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED NEW YORK CITY FIRM

Our entire legal team is dedicated to providing the advice you need and the personalized attention you deserve. If you have been injured due to another party’s negligence, call (212) 421-0300 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with our Manhattan personal injury lawyers. You may be entitled to financial compensation, which can help you on your road to recovery.